2017 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 764 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 28 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, turn signalSep 24, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
A turn signal that activates in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.
Campaign 21V749000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, trunk lid, latchAug 6, 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
Campaign 21V619000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleDec 30, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 156.
Campaign 16V956000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
764 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2022
I just bought this car about 10 days ago everything was great until about 2 days ago, I started feeing my steering wheel lock for a little bit or get extremely loose. It did that a couple times through out the day and everything was fine. Next day about the same thing. I thought it was weird. Now today I was driving and felt the same sensation of stiffness on the steering wheel but still able to drive then boom steering wheel locks completely and multiple lights come on. This was extremely scary and I'm already traumatized by other incidents in my life. I like the car but this error in the system is so risky. After turning the car off and on , steering wheel began to work normal. hopefully this does not happen when I am on highway !
Power train, Engine, Apr 28, 2022
APRIL 28, 2022 THE ENGINE. IT IS REPLACED AND STILL AT ANTWERPEN HYUNDAI IN BALTIMORE MD. AT GREAT RISK BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD LOSE ALL FORWARD POWER AND REDUCE SPEED FROM60 MILE PER HOUR ON A BELTWAY WHERE THE TRAFFIC MOVES VERY FAST AND I WOULD QUICKLY GO DOWN TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY 2 CERTIFIED MECHANICS BEFORE TAKEN TO ANTWERPEN WHERE THE 3RD DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVEN A NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I AM NOT SURE IF IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE SERVICE DEPT. AT ANTWERPEN WERE IN TOUCH WITH THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY APPROVED REPLACING THE ENGINE. THERE WERE NO-(NONE) CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS BUT IT DID SAY CHANGE THE OIL. I DID CHANGE THE OIL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 1200 MILES SINCE THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED. THE POWER FAILURE OCCURED TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THE FINAL TIME AND I TOOK IT TO JENKINS HYUNDAI IN LEESBURG FLORIDA (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) AND THEY CONTINUED TO REPORT NO PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM 1ST APPEARED WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS OF THE PURCHASE ON MAY 22, 2021. UPON RECEIVING THE CAR BACK AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT THE CAR WAS BLOWING BLACK SMOKE (LOTS OF IT) I TOOK IT BACK TO ANTWERPEN AND THEY FOUND THE TURBO WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED (BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD THEM -POWER CLEAN?-THE TURBO. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY TO REPACE THE TURBO. HOWEVER UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE CATELETIC CONVERTOR WAS RUINED BECAUSE OF ALL THE OIL THROWN . THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE CONVERTER BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LABOR (?) IT TOOK 2 WEEKS (WHILE I HAD TO PAY FOR MY TRANSPORTATION) TO COMPLETE.I WAS TO PICK UP THE CAR ON THE 27TH OF APRIL,2022 AND I DID. IT IS STILL BLOWING LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE. ANTWERPEN SAID DRIVE IT FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THE SMOKING WILL STOP. I DROVE 13 MILES AND THE CAR START TREMBLING- ALL OVER SHAKING. NO FLAT TIRE. THE ENGINE IS RUMBLING AND SHAKING THE CAR. ANTWERPEN SAID DON'T BRING IT IN. LET ME DO SOME LOOKING AROUND AND I ([XXX]) WILL CALL YOU BY 2 P.M. TODAY (5/28/22 I AM AFRAID OF I INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Engine, Apr 17, 2022
Last year in March 2021 I have a problem with the oil and the engine. The oil is burning internal and the engine wouldn't go pass 60 miles. This was reported the McGrath City Hyundai in chicago. A whole year they had me to bring my car in to them saying that hyundai need pictures and other stuff. I was told to keep driving my car 1000 miles and that did no good at all. Every since then my oil light been coming on and off. Now my engine light has pop on on today April 17, 2022. I was told by the Manger at McGrath City Hyundai that I was decline for a engine. I have been getting my oil change with them for the longest . I feel discriminated against because I am a female and they had me bring my car back and forward up there to keep topping off the oil in the car and know there is a problem with the engine,they kept my car for two weeks and didntgive me a rental and the car is still doing the same thing loosing oil there was a recall on Hyundai Engine it's been all in the papers and on the news they also sent out recall letters and they are refusing to replace my engine
Engine, Apr 16, 2022
I have a 2.4L 4 cylinder enginr.lI noticed that I would get my oil change and a few weeks later my oil light would come on and I would have to add oil. This had been going on for the past year with no one able to provide an explanation. About a month or so ago, my car began to violently shake,, loss acceleration and my check engine light came on. A mechanic looked at my vehicle advised he saw oil on all my spark plugs and said the 3rd chamber was losing compression. Doing some research I found out that the engine in my car has a recall for defective connecting rod bearing issues. The dealership is telling me that is not the issue even though the have not broken down the engine as the issue could be due to the recall....I need help I am without a car and my warranty has expired.
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2022, fire
The Hyundai was started, feint knocking was heard. Progressed louder as vehicle accelerated, engine then stalled, check engine light and oil pressure light turned on and traction control disengaged as the vehicle erupted into a rolling blaze
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V619000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 3, 2022, fire
Vehicle’s engine began to emit a knocking sound that would increase in volume and speed as engine progressed in speed. Engine suddenly lost power, check engine light began to flash and traction control disabled itself. Vehicle was pulled over and turned off when it immediately began to rapidly self immolate over the course of minutes while the power to the engine was completely disabled.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 28, 2022
The vehicle is available upon requested inspection. Since I bought the car in 2019 it has made a rattling sound like the engine is knocking. Not a severe knocking, however, it does make a clicking/rattling sound in idle, occurs more rapidly while accelerating, then sounds like a muffled diesel while the engine’s torque is dropping when shifted into neutral coasting on the road. Oil has been changed in its due time. Between 3k - 7k as scheduled. Independent service provider didn’t think it was normal and recommend I check for recalls. I asked Hyundai dealership representative and said it’s a normal sound. Other vehicles I’ve driven don’t sound like this. Even an older ‘96 Buick sounded smoother running. Nothing has failed, caused an injury or accident. Engine light has recently come on. Temperature is hotter, according to the gage, than we’re it has typically sat for the past couple years. The potential risks increased, not knowing what can happen, when the temp rose and engine light comes. . . . . . . . . . . This, aside from previously stated concern, alarm activates (mostly during the rainy cloudy weather) when manually unlocking the car. Having to relook and unlock to silence alarm.
Steering, Mar 25, 2022
Was driving and the steering wheel became hard to steer. Had two lights come on the dash, steering wheel with an exclamation point and the traction control. I was able to pull over and shut the car off. I waited a few minutes and turned the car back on. The lights went off and steering was back.
Engine, Mar 21, 2022
Vehicle seemed to burning oil. Losing oil a month after oil change. Emission issues, rattling and fumes when running.
Engine, Mar 18, 2022
The oil burns way to fast in these cars because of the engine there should definitely be a recall to asses this situation as I’m not the only one with this problem. This is a problem for Hyundai owners as you have to replace your oil even when the car states you have about 3K MILES left before a refill.
Structure, Mar 17, 2022
Paint Peeling Off - It's a 2017 Hyudai Sonata. It has about 55K miles. All of a sudden the paint started peeling off. The car is white. I did a bit of research and there a numerous complaints about the paint. Here is a reference of one of the websites that report the issue. https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/2017-sonata-paint-chipping.646195/
Steering, Mar 16, 2022
power steering went out, apparently this is common with this year/model but there is still not a recall on it
Engine, Mar 3, 2022
At just over 100,000miles my check engine light came on while driving down the highway and the vehicle went immediately into limp mode. Attempted to replace knock sensor, attempt did not remedy the issue.
Engine, Feb 25, 2022
My car was driving just fine then it wasn’t accelerating right and it went into limp mode. I was about 12 miles from home. I made it but the next day on the way to the dealership the engine just died about a mile from my house. Engine light came on. I always get my oil changes on time. Dealership says engine oil is sludged due to negligence. No negligence I believe faulty engine caused containments and have very bad oil consumption. My theta engine was left out of the campaign and my warranty was denied.
Engine, Feb 18, 2022
In May 2021,the car began using excessive oil powered down with engine knocking, ticking, and missing when acceleration was tried. We regularly change the oil and it was using a quart of oil every 2,000 miles. We took it to Hyundai and they reset the chip. In February of 22, the engine began knocking and ticking. It powered down and the engine light came on. We had put oil in it over the weekend as we have to do now weekly as it is using excessive oil. After only 500 miles, it powered down in safety mode and began knocking and ticking with no acceleration. We had the oil changed early, but it did not help. I was in safety mode for 76 miles on my way home from work. It has 163,000 miles on it and is only 6 months from pay off.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2022
Check Engine light on,, throttle stuck/revving high in idle. Vehicle lunges forward without touching the gas pedal. Difficult to keep brake applied to stop it from lunging forward. Yet, little to no power over 25mph. Vehicle still under manufacturer, dealer and wrap warranty which was purchased at the dealership at point of sale. Vehicle affected by theta II engine safety campaign. Hyundai extended the powertrain warranties for all affected vehicles. Manufacturer and dealer notified of the safety issue on vehicle. Both unconcerned and uncooperative. Upon attempting to get my vehicle serviced; Was first told 8 weeks before my car can even be looked at. That no loaners are available(I am entitled to a loaner of a vehicle in the same class as mine per my warranty)I reiterated the safety concern. Hyundai and dealership failed & continue to fail to make this issue a priority. Explained that I could not drive the car for 8weeks. That it's dangerous, its going to kill myself or someone else. At the very least it will cause injury. Still no solution offered by manufacturer or dealership. Hyundai representative gave me an itinerary #(?) for reference. Also, attempted to sell me another warranty. I explained that my vehicle was covered by THREE warranties. I don't NEED another warranty. I NEED my car fixed and for someone to make this safety issue a priority! My car was a CPO purchased 5/28/20. Less than 30days after sale the check engine light came on & the car started misfiring. It was able to be serviced quickly, a loaner was given to me promptly and the issue was "fixed". This has now reoccured 6 times. Each of those 6 times my car was able to be brought in and serviced quickly, a loaner given to me. The dealership nor the manufacturer will resolve the current safety issue. The car is going to cause bodily harm and/or a fatality & they will have blood on their hands.
Structure, Engine, Feb 16, 2022
On January 8, 2022, I called McGrath City Hyundai and Genesis of Oak Park to ask about any recent recalls on my vehicle due to my engine leaking out oil after putting in new oil. Prior to that, I had a mechanic look at it in case the oil change place made a mistake on their end and found they were not at fault. So after the Hyundai dealership told me there was 2 recalls that she can see from her end based on my VIN, 1 for the engine and the other for the trunk, we set up an appointment to try and repair the vehicle because at this point the vehicle was not drivable and we had to get it towed. We also had no prior knowledge that there was any recall due to the fact we bought the vehicle in May of 2020 from a dealership called Toyota of Lincoln Park. After bringing in paperwork to Hyundai in person for proof we have been maintaining the car and after waiting weeks for our car to be fixed, we are being told they cannot fix the engine due to the fact that the recall was from 2018 and the previous owners did nothing to resolve the issue. We were also told that the dealership that sold us the vehicle cannot look up recalls from other vehicles and only can do it with Toyota. The car had already almost failed on the expressway and could have caused an accident had we not pulled off to the exit. And we were fortunate enough to get it to our home. The engine wasn't locked up and we feel now it might be while in the hands of Hyundai. Hyundai has denied the claim to have it serviced due to it being a 2018 recall and all we want is the car running again. We cannot afford to get another car and it is our only means of transportation.
Engine, Feb 9, 2022
Purchased this car brand new in 2017 from a Hyundai dealership. Started having issues with it 2 years later and up to now. The engine light is consistently illuminated, the oil light comes on within about a few weeks of having the oil changed with just local neighborhood driving and I have to have my oil changed every 4-6 weeks when even just driving no more than 20-30 miles a week, the mechanic who does my oil changes stated there is no oil leak but the oil stick keeps coming up BONE DRY which results in costly oil changes on a extremely regular basis. The engine has been and continues to do a very hard almost violent knocking that is so strong it can be seen from the outside of the vehicle and has affected the way i have to drive the car. The engine hesitates to take off and according to several mechanics who have looked at the vehicle it keeps misfiring because of oil pooling in the spark plugs that has been changed on a regular monthly basis now. There is a large amount of smoke that pours from the exhaust when accelerating. This vehicle is a hazard to drive and contacting Hyundai although this model and year is included in the engine recall, yields nothing but a pain as they have informed me, that my “Vin” out of all of the other 2017 Hyundai Sonata’s isn’t included in the nationwide recall of my particular vehicle…. Just my luck? I think not, Hyundai needs to acknowledge the multitude of hazards that they have manufactured and have out on road and properly offer assistance to these vehicle's owners to rectify this issue.
Steering, Feb 9, 2022
"Steering wheel exclamation" red warning dash light came up on dash and lost all power steering abilities.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2022
I have had my 2017 since July of 2017. Specifically, I have a petal white Hyundai Sonata sport. Over this past summer I started to notice that there was paint chipping on my roof directly above the passenger side window. It has progressively gotten worse. The paint is peeling off in sheets as I am driving down the high way. I explored my options on how I can go about fixing this and have notice that this is a country wide issue with this specific color and make of car. I have been compiling information because I am currently over the 36,000 warranty. I see similar cars in my neighborhood and we all have the same issue. Additionally, my dolphin antenna flew off while driving. Which could have caused damage to others around me. Prior to this, it was a bit lose. But again this is another issue that seems to be more common in this model and make of car.
Engine, Feb 7, 2022
The engine lost power as driver was getting ready to go onto a major toll way, then when was able to regain a little power, was unable to go over 30mph. When was able to get to an independent repair shop to check it, engine knock code appeared, the check engine light only came on once the engine lost power, not prior to. The shop checked oil and the dipstick came out dry! They did not see any obvious leaks, and suggested it be towed to dealership. When towed to nearest dealership the car has been sitting for a week and a half and still not be looked at. The oil had been changed a few months prior and was not close to the miles needed for next change. This could have caused a fire for the car, it could have caused an accident if was not able to get to side of road. This is similar If not exactly the same that has happened to other Hyundai Sonata owners and is causing a lot of hardship for our family to be without this car or a loaner! This appears to be the recall on Hyundai engines that’s happening to similar models.
Engine, Feb 6, 2022
Bought the car in June ‘21 and in Oct it started having engine problems (very low oil , shaky idle and hard transitioning gears) When I took to Hyundai Suntrup, 1 spark plug had bust and was covered in oil and dealership couldnt tell why . They replaced spark plug ran air induction service and sent me on my way . Come end of december and car was still having issues w low oil and shakey gear transitions so they gave me a upper engine cleaning service as well as an oil change . Now my oil pressure light keeps going off and I steadily burn through oil . At almost 2x the normal rate because when I last got the oil changed was only 1.5k miles ago .
Engine, Feb 4, 2022
I have a failing engine that excessively consumes oil at the rate of approximately 1qt per 500 miles. The notorious theta2 2.4ltr sonata engine has spewed so much oil into the top half of engine that it had infact so severely damaged the catalytic converter that it became a plug in the exhaust system. The oil consumption issue has destroyed the entire cars engine system and it was infact a ticking time bomb that Hyundai has denied multiple times to repair. After the catalytic converters reached 1700' and Hyundai indicated that it was fine nothing to worry about, we had to physically remove the catalytic converter packing and alow for the engine fumes to exit the car properly, they previously had mainly entering the passenger cabin or they were pushed back into the engine. I according to Hyundai have no warranty on the car, I owe money to my bank Hyundai and the dealership have been paid they have no problem letting me get stuck with a lemon. It's been to the dealership multiple times, campaign 953 engine knock sensor was done on 10/08/21 it has mysteriously found its way out of my car records. Tampering editing, falsifying documents are all illegal and wrong. Since the papers showed that it was done it should have extended the warranty to 10 yes/ 120,000 and I should be reimbursed for my rental fees for being unable to drive my car any distance thousandths of dollars into oil, not being able to get a safety inspection. missing multiple days of work, depreciation ( the dealership that sold me this car 18mo ago valued it at $17,000 09/20, and on 10/08 gave me a $6,000 trade in value) lastly a car in good running condition that is safe for us to use. HYUNDAI IS SELLING DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT EVEN AFTER BEING TAKEN TO COURT AND HAVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINES AND PAYOUTS. They are stealing from hard working family's that are already struggling to get by.
Engine, Jan 30, 2022
Ive tried twice unsuccessfully to have my hyundai sonata recall repairs fixed. First time they said that they were going to order the part, this was around november 2021. Never did get that call. So I called them again to set up an appointment, they gave me an appointment date of 01/26/2022. On that day they told me that they had to cancel because once again they have to order the part.In the mean time my car is running bad with a dealership neglecting this situation, without any concern to how serious and dangerous the outcome could be as described in the court order. The dealership is in Modesto ca. Central Valley Hyundai.